The birds are back, flowers have started to bloom, the grapes have been smashed and the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail has many a-May-zing events lined up to celebrate spring!
Thank Goodness It’s Friday at Black Walnut Winery
3000 Lincoln Highway, Sadsburyville, PA 19369
260 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Could you think of a better way to start your weekend than sitting in the outdoor patio of Black Walnut Winery’s beautiful 200-year-old barn in Sadsburyville? After you are finished soaking up the view, head inside for half price wine tastings, where you will start to feel the stress swirl away as you sample their seven wines. On May 6th, from 4 to 10 p.m., their Phoenixville location will be offering First Friday specials like half off glasses of wine and 20 percent off of selected wines.
Outdoor Flower Market at Chaddsford Winery
Saturdays & Sundays, May 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22
632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
While you are sampling their classic wines or picking up a bottle from their adorable store, pick up a bouquet from Chaddsfords’ outdoor flower market from Green Meadows Florist. It wouldn’t be springtime without fragrant flowers, be sure to visit Chaddsford while the market is still in bloom!
Simmer Down at Sundown at Penn’s Woods
124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford
Wind down your busy week with great wine specials at Penns Woods, from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday in May. Celebrate with half price wines by the glass, light finger goods and 10 percent off all bottles.
Grand Opening of Paradocx Vineyard Wine Shop & Cafe
Friday, May 6, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
879 E. Baltimore Pike #B, Kennett Square, PA
Uncork some fun at their grand opening party, there will be complimentary glasses of wine (one per guest), complimentary hors d’oeuvres, live music, “chocolatinis” from Paradocx Vineyard’s featured vendor, Pinot Boutique, and all packaged wines will be 15 percent off. This laid-back cafe will carry over 20 varieties of Paradocx wines, perfect for pairing with local food vendors.
Penn Woods Wine Festival
Saturday, May 21, Noon to 5 p.m.
124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, 610-459-0808
Kick off this great event with by heading straight to the food and wine tent. While you are there use your seven tasting tickets to sample Brandywine Valley Wine Trail wineries and Waltz Vineyards, listen to some great music, pick up your souvenir wine glass and purchase Italian creations from Tallutos authentic Italian Food and picnic foods from The Inn at Historic Yellow Spings. Oh, and did we mention mingle with the winemakers and Eagles kicker, David Akers?
Kids can have their faces painted, get airbrush tattoos, play games and can practice kicking a field goal during two 30 minutes kicking camps with David Akers. Not only will the little kickers (sorry fellows, this is kids only) have a chance to practice with David himself, but they will leave the workshop with a signed football and picture of David. Camp costs is $20 per child and this is a limited space class, so be sure to tackle your ticket plans in advance.
All this fun is $25 for adults and $5 for kids and all of your drinking, eating and kicking goes towards a good cause. Proceeds from this event will benefit David Akers’ Kick for Kids foundation, which provides assistance to children and their families who are being cared for at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. There will even be a Chinese auction, where you could win amazing prizes! Event is rain or shine.
Skip the shore and traffic this Memorial Day and stay local by visiting Black Walnut Winery, Chaddsford Winery, Kreutz Creek Vineyards and Paradocx Vineyard for some live music, food, and award-winning wines.
Kreutz Creek Vineyard’s Spring Fling Concert
Saturday, May 28 from 2 to 5 p.m.
553 S. Guernsey Road, West Grove, PA 19390
Bring your own blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon listening to Dave Renz Band, a local jazz group, and take in the view of the rolling hills of Chester County. This event is very fido friendly, so feel free to bring along well-behaved four-legged friends.
Black Walnut Winery Blues Festival
Saturday, May 28 1 to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 29, Noon to 6 p.m.
3000 Lincoln Highway, Sadsburyville, PA 19369
Sitting on their outdoor deck and patio, listening the free sounds of Sister Blue from 1 to 4 p.m. while drinking lots of delicious wines will make you feel the opposite of blue (would that be considered red?). On Saturday, you won’t want to miss artisan style wood-fired pizzas from Forno Inferno. Stick around for Holt 45 and Special Guest Kellina Holt of ECHO from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and proceeds from this adults only concert benefit a Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure team. Tickets are $15 and include a taste of up to four Black Walnut wines. On Sunday, two blues artists will take the stage: Scott Wham from 1to 3 p.m. and John Costello from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Chef John Mims from Daddy Mims Creole will be serving up creole barbecue throughout the day. Wines by the glass, bottle or tasting (seven tastes for $6) will be available throughout the weekend. Black Walnut encourages festival-goers to bring their own glass, food, blanket or chair.
Memorial Day Weekend at Chaddsford Winery
May 28, 29, & 30, Noon to 6 p.m.
Sample a tasting of their wines in their cellar for a fee of $10 (souvenir glass included) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your own picnic lunch and soak up some rays and the view of their scenic grounds from their beautiful patio. Or get in the grilling spirit of the season and purchase some BBQ foods from Francesco Catering. Acoustic sounds will be strumming throughout the weekend, with performances by Dana Lee and Howie (Saturday), Hake and Jarema (Sunday) and Mike Favinger (Monday).
Kreutz Creek Vineyards Annual Bottling Day
May 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Learn the ins and outs of bottling wine straight from the Kreutz Creek vinters. A picnic lunch is provided for all the volunteers and space is limited for this free event. Call Carole ASAP to reserve your spot at (610) 869-4412.
For more information on the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, visit www.bvwinetrail.com. Photos courtesy of Brandywine Valley Wine Trail.
